Making Planters from Plastic Trash Cans

When the city converted to robot trash and recycle pick-up, I had five extra 32 gallon Rubbermaid trash cans. I have limited space for gardening, so I cut the bottom half of the trash cans off, drilled three holes (about 3/4 inch) on the bottom of the sides for drainage. I am now growing veggies in the large containers I created.

Now I have five top halves left over. Two of them I have started two compost piles (with lids) at the back of my yard. I turn the compost by simply picking up the plastic trash can upper, setting it down next to the pile, and forking the compost into it. I can turn the pile regularly with ease.

If you want to dress them up, you or your artistic kids (or grand-kids) can use some of that new Krylon spray paint that sticks to plastic. Perhaps camouflage them to blend in with the background. Use your imagination.

By Cebtoo from San Antonio, TX

via Making Planters from Plastic Trash Cans.

How to Remove Winter Salt Stains – iVillage

 

 

Take Preventative Measures

“The first line of defense: you have to keep your leather items well waxed, basically waterproofing them,” says Jeff C. May, coauthor of Jeff May’s Healthy Home Tips. For shoes and outer garments, use beeswax, mink oil or the appropriate shielding agent before you hit the streets. For your home, try Scotchguard Upholstery Protector. To test your waterproofing job, put a drop of water on the material (it should bead up like it would on wax paper). Be sure to cover the entire surface of the material, particularly the point where your shoe or jacket will first contact the snow.

via How to Remove Winter Salt Stains – iVillage.

Green Living | Real Simple

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Green Living | Real Simple. How to Recycle Anything From basic recycling rules to clever ways to reuse everyday items, easy ways to help better the environment. Garage Organizing Checklist Clear clutter and create order in the garage in just … Continue reading →

Sierra Club Green Home » Blog Archive » Dehumidifiers

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Sierra Club Green Home » Blog Archive » Dehumidifiers. via Sierra Club Green Home » Blog Archive » Dehumidifiers. via Sierra Club Green Home » Blog Archive » Dehumidifiers. How to deal with dampness High humidity in the summer can … Continue reading →

13 Ways to Make Cool Reusable Shopping Bags for Free – Planet Green

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13 Ways to Make Cool Reusable Shopping Bags for Free – Planet Green.

via 13 Ways to Make Cool Reusable Shopping Bags for Free – Planet Green.

via 13 Ways to Make Cool Reusable Shopping Bags for Free – Planet Green.

Basic: These require no sewing, or only minimal sewing, and are super easy to throw together.

 

1. Pillow Cases are about as basic as you can get. You can go no-sew, and simply cut out two holes to make handles. Or you can go a littlefancier by cutting the hem off the opening side and sewing it back on as handles. The no-sew version will create a sturdier bag, but the sewn-on handles will create more room for slinging it over your shoulder.

 

 

2. Pant Legs, especially wide-leg trousers, make super easy, one-seam bags. Cut the leg off at the crotch. Sew the cuff so that one end of the pant leg is sealed off—that’s the bottom of the bag. To create handles, just cut two holes from the upper end of the pants. You can make your bag as deep or shallow as you’d like, with handles as short, long, wide or skinny as you want, all in about 10 minutes—or even make a drawstring bag from pants.

 

 

3. Feed Bags or Flour Sacks make great bags as well. You’re not as likely to have these laying around, though bird seed bags, some dog foods, and bulk flour usually offer great packaging for making reusable bags. Follow similar instructions as with the pillow case, or get creative by mixing in other fabrics and materials.

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• reusable shopping bags (teachstreet.com)

Keeping Warm in Winter: by Catherine Boeckmann

. Dress in layers. Bundle up. Wear long underwear, sweaters, and even hats indoors. Remember the days of “sleeping caps”? They make sense when so much heat escapes from the head. To avoid getting overheated inside, wear layers. I recommend … Continue reading →